Difference Between NPS vs Mutual Funds

What is the National Pension Scheme (NPS)?

What are Mutual Funds?

What is the Difference Between NPS and Mutual Funds?

Knowing the difference between the NPS and mutual funds enables one to opt for the best option, which gives a higher return on investment. To make you clear in your decision, here is a table representing the differences of each fund:

Parameters National Pension Scheme (NPS) Mutual Fund
Nature of Investment A government-backed retirement savings scheme. A pooled investment is managed by fund houses that invest in equities, debt, or a mix.
Risk Low to moderate risk; market-linked returns but with government oversight. Varies from low to high, depending on the fund type (debt, equity, hybrid).
Returns It is a market-linked return but can vary based on debt and equity allocation. Market-linked returns can be higher but depend on fund performance.
Tenure Minimum tenure until retirement; typically 60 years, but can be withdrawn after 60. No fixed tenure; it varies depending on the fund chosen. ELSS funds have a 3-year lock-in period.
Liquidity Partial withdrawal is allowed after 3 years; lump sum withdrawal is available at retirement. Higher liquidity; redemption is possible anytime except for locked-in funds like ELSS.
Tax Benefits Contributions qualify for tax deductions under Section 80C; up to 60% of the maturity amount is tax-exempt at withdrawal. ELSS funds qualify for Section 80C; other mutual funds may have tax implications based on the holding period.
Tax on Returns Tax on returns is applicable at the time of withdrawal; partial tax benefits on maturity. Gains are taxed based on type and duration: short-term or long-term capital gains tax applies.
Contribution Limit The minimum is ₹500; the maximum is ₹1.5 lakh per year under Section 80C. No upper limit.
Volatility Lower volatility. Subject to market risks and volatility.
Accessibility Available through empanelled banks and online platforms via NPS portals. Offered by Asset Management Companies (AMCs) and financial platforms.
Lock-in Period Tier 1 NPS has a lock-in until retirement (with partial withdrawal options). Tier 2 does not have any lock-in period. ELSS Mutual Funds have a 3-year lock-in; other mutual funds generally have no lock-in.
Change of Fund Manager NPS allows subscribers to change the pension fund manager. Mutual fund investors cannot change the fund manager directly but can switch funds.
Equity Allocation Equity allocation is capped at 75% for most investors. Equity allocation can be 100%, depending on the mutual fund type (e.g., equity funds).
Management Costs NPS has low management fees, typically around 0.1%. Mutual funds have higher management fees, ranging from 0.5% to 2.5%, depending on the fund type.

Advantages of Investing in Mutual Funds and NPS

Mutual Funds and NPS are investment tools designed to assist people in increasing value and saving for future needs. Below are the key advantages of both that will make you clear about both the investment tools:

Aspect Advantages of Investing in Mutual Funds Advantages of Investing in NPS
Diversification Mutual funds buy securities in large quantities, reducing variability across securities. NPS allows investments across various asset classes, such as equities, corporate bonds, government securities, and alternative assets.
Liquidity High liquidity as mutual fund units can be bought/sold with the fund manager at NAV. While NPS has a long-term focus, it allows partial withdrawals under specific conditions or emergencies. However, full access to funds is available only at retirement.
Tax Benefits Tax-saving mutual funds (e.g., ELSS) qualify for deductions under Section 80C of the IT Act. Contributions qualify for deductions under Section 80C (₹1.5 lakh) and Section 80CCD(1B) (₹50,000).
Economies of Scale Pooled funds reduce transaction costs and benefit from economies of scale. NPS (National Pension System) allows for large-scale pooling of funds, which reduces transaction costs and improves cost efficiency. Investors benefit from lower management fees compared to individual investments.

Tax Implications on NPS and SIP in Mutual Funds

There are often essential tax considerations for investors and companies, but few may be as critical as when it comes to retirement. While they accrue tax benefits, both NPS and SIP, offered in mutual funds, have vastly different structural setups; they also witness distinct sets of benefits and rules of applicability.

Tax Implication NPS (National Pension System) SIP in Mutual Funds
Tax Benefits Tax benefits under Section 80C (up to ₹1.5 lakh) and Section 80CCD(1B) (additional ₹50,000). ELSS funds are eligible under Section 80C for tax benefits up to ₹1.5 lakh annually.
Taxation on Withdrawal 60% of the corpus is tax-free; the remaining 40% is used to buy an annuity, which is taxable. Income from mutual fund dividends is taxable based on the income tax bracket.
Withdrawal Conditions Withdrawals are allowed in case of specific events like education, marriage, or medical expenses. SIP withdrawals depend on the mutual fund type and holding period.
Tax on Dividends Not applicable. Dividends are taxed according to the investor's income tax bracket after the scrapping of DDT.
Taxation on Maturity 60% of the corpus can be withdrawn tax-free; 40% used for annuity purchases is taxable. No direct tax at maturity, but long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax applies if held for over 3 years.

Mutual Fund vs NPS: Which is Better?

Strategies to Choose Between NPS and Mutual Funds

Choosing between the National Pension System (NPS) and mutual funds depends on your financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon. Here's a detailed breakdown of strategies under both options:

Aspect             NPS     Mutual Funds
Understand Financial Goals A long-term investment plan aimed at retirement savings, suitable for steady post-retirement income. Suitable for both short- and long-term wealth creation, offering flexibility for different goals.
Evaluate Risk Tolerance Controlled risk due to capped equity exposure, making it ideal for conservative investors. Offers options for low, medium, and high-risk funds in equity, debt, or hybrid categories.
Consider Tax Efficiency Additional tax deduction of ₹50,000 under Section 80CCD(1B) beyond the ₹1.5 lakh limit under Section 80C. ELSS funds are eligible for tax deductions under Section 80C, with a three-year lock-in period.
Analyse Liquidity Needs Minimal liquidity: Partial withdrawals are allowed, but most funds are locked till retirement. Generally, liquid investors can withdraw anytime except for ELSS, which has a three-year lock-in.
Review Cost Structures Lower management fees make it a cost-effective option for long-term investments. Fees vary; actively managed funds have higher costs than passively managed ones.
Consider Investment Flexibility Limited choice with a fixed structure in equity, government bonds, and corporate bonds A wide variety of fund types; allows rotation between asset classes based on market conditions.

 

In conclusion, both are absolute investment options. Thus, the decision on which to take between the two depends on various parameters, such as the financial objectives one has set and the time horizon available for investments. Achieving the best of both worlds regarding investment with a balanced portfolio is possible.

FAQs about NPS vs Mutual Funds

Why was NPS introduced, and what is the primary purpose of investing in mutual funds?

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NPS is more about building a retirement corpus and has a long-term horizon. At the same time, mutual funds are versatile investment tools for achieving different financial objectives on short-term, midterm, and long-term bases.

How does the taxation policy of NPS vary from mutual funds?

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Tax benefits are available, including ₹1,50,000 under Section 80C and ₹50,000 claimed under Section 80CCD(1B) for contributions up to ₹2,00,000 in NPS and ₹1,50,000 under Section 80C for investments in ELSS in mutual funds.

How long does locking in the NPS and mutual funds take?

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NPS attracts contributions till retirement (minimum 60 years), while ELSS mutual funds are locked for at least three years, the least of all tax-saving instruments.

Which is riskier: NPS or mutual funds?

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Risk is moderate with NPS investment, which is done in equities, debts, and government securities.

Is the return obtained with NPS certain?

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No, the NPS is market-linked, and the maturity amounts are not assured, which depends on equity and debt, among other asset classes.

Is there a provision for withdrawing money in NPS and mutual funds at any point?

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NPS imposes certain limitations on the withdrawal before retirement, which can be only partial for certain reasons. While using mutual funds, it is imperative to note that except for the Equity Linked Savings Scheme or ELSS, all others have the feature of liquidity, which means they can be redeemed at any time.

What is the tax implication on returns from NPS and mutual funds?

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In NPS, the person can enjoy a 60% tax-free corpus on maturity, while a pension derived similarly from annuities is fully taxable. In the case of mutual funds, if any capital gain is received, taxes are charged depending upon the period of holding of the investment and the type of fund.

What minimum amount is needed to invest in NPS and mutual funds?

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Under NPS, the individual needs to invest a minimum of ₹ 1000 every year, while with mutual funds, it is possible to invest even with an amount as low as ₹ 500 in the form of SIPs.

Is it possible to have NPS and mutual funds for retirement?

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Yes, investing in both NPS and mutual funds assists with a proper systemised, regular, assured payment after retirement and freedom in generating and utilising wealth with mutual funds-based investments.

Can funds in NPS be transferred across categories?

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Yes, subscribers can easily move their NPS funds between equity, government securities, and corporate bonds, and the transfer allows flexibility in portfolio management.

Are NPS investments deductible under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961?

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Yes, NPS contributions are deductible up to ₹1.5 lakh per annum under Section 80C. Investors are allowed a further deduction of ₹50,000 under Section 80CCD(1B).

Who regulates the NPS and mutual funds?

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NPS is regulated by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), while mutual funds are under the jurisdiction of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).

Are mutual funds and NPS the same?

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No, they are different. NPS is a retirement-oriented investment plan with limited liquidity, while mutual funds are flexible investment instruments available for satisfying short-term and long-term financial goals.

Which is better, NPS or mutual funds?

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It entirely depends upon your financial goal. A more favourable alternative for NPS is retirement planning with tax benefits and low risk. Mutual funds work better for timely, high-earning investments by continuing flexibility and liquidity to match diversified investment goals.

What happens to NPS after death?

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In case of the death of the subscriber, the accumulated corpus in NPS shall be paid to the nominees or legal heirs. The nominee has no restrictions on how the funds shall be used.

Is NPS Tier 2 better than mutual funds?

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It depends on the investment goals. NPS Tier 2 gives a rather low-cost investing option that is not tax-efficient.  However, Mutual Funds will offer greater flexibility, tax benefits (ELSS), and arguably higher potential returns.

How many mutual funds and NPS investments can an investor make?

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The number of mutual funds an investor can join is unlimited. The same goes for NPS, whereby an investor does not face restrictions when contributing to Tier 1 and Tier 2 accounts.

What is the main difference between NPS and mutual funds?

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NPS (National Pension System) is a retirement savings scheme supported by the government with partial equity exposure. Mutual funds are market-linked investments that could take any asset allocation.

What are the advantages of NPS over mutual funds?

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The NPS provides tax benefits in Section 80C and an additional deduction under Section 80CCD, making it tax-efficient. It provides a government guarantee, much lower risk, and a structured approach toward retirement planning.

Disclaimer

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  • This is an informative article provided on 'as is' basis for awareness purpose only and not intended as a professional advice. The content of the article is derived from various open sources across the Internet. Digit Life Insurance is not promoting or recommending any aspect in the article or its correctness. Please verify the information and your requirement before taking any decisions.
  • All the figures reflected in the article are for illustrative purposes. The premium for Coverage that one buys depends on various factors including customer requirements, eligibility, age, demography, insurance provider, product, coverage amount, term and other factors
  • Tax Benefits, if applicable depend on the Tax Regime opted by the individual and the applicable tax provision. Please consult your Tax consultant before making any decision.

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